How to Replace Light Bulbs in a Dashboard

Vidéo: How to Replace Dashboard Lights (In Depth)

Contenu

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Tip
Warning
Items you will need

You may need to replace light bulbs in a dashboard for a variety of reasons. Light bulbs can simply burn out, or maybe you want to "dress" your lighting with some of the new LED bulbs available on the market today. If you want to replace a bulb that is not working, make sure that it is the bulb and not the fuse that has burnt out. Once you are sure it is the bulb that needs to be replaced, the process is simple.

Step 1

Make sure that the bulbs wattage and pole (single or double) matches the specifications for your vehicle. This information should be in your cars manual.

Step 2

Follow the directions in your cars manual for accessing the dashboard lights. For most vehicles, this will be a simple matter of using a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws holding the panel over the gauges; some vehicles may require you to remove the entire dash face. In this case, you will still only need a Phillips screwdriver, but you will need to consult your manual to locate all of the dash screws.

Step 3

Pinch the metal base of the light bulb you need to replace and draw it slowly out of the metal holding cylinder on the back of the gauge.

Step 4

Look at the replacement bulb you purchased to learn how to remove the old one. If the base of the new bulb is round and has two nubs on the bottom, then you will remove the old bulb by holding the socket with one hand and pinching, pushing and turning the new bulb (in any direction) until you feel it release with the other hand. If your replacement bulb has a square or flat end, simply pinch the old bulb and pull it out of the socket.

Daub a little grease on the outside of the round end of the replacement bulb; if it is square or flat, daub some grease on the connectors in the end. This will help keep out moisture and corrosion, and make any future bulb changes easy. Install the new bulb by reversing the method you used to remove the old bulb. Re-install the bulb into the gauge clip and close the panel.

Tip

Before you put the panel back on, test the lights to make sure they work.

Warning

Some gauges use a bulb that is made as a unit complete with socket and wires. When you withdraw the old bulb, disconnect the wires and attach the wires to the new bulb/socket unit. Make sure to attach the red and black wires of the new socket to the same wires that the old wires were attached to (which may not have matched in color).